Manuel Pellegrini could insist the West Ham board offer Declan Rice a better deal as he prepares a detailed dossier on the squad at their pre-season training camp, according to Claret & Hugh.
The Hammers blog claim the Hammers manager is ready to intervene in the defender’s pay dispute with the club after being blown away by his conduct in Switzerland.
Claret & Hugh report that Rice has rejected a contract offer worth £15,000-a-week topped up by bonuses of £10,000-a-game. His current deal is worth £3,000-a-week plus the £10,000-per-match bonus.
OPINION
The possible intervention of Pellegrini is a fascinating twist to what is threatening to become a bigger internal issue than it need be. Unfortunately for the club, it is being played out in the public arena, as Rice’s camp look to milk the player’s rapport with the supporters who are delighted at the impact the academy product made when he was promoted to the first team last season. Certainly, the offer on the table for the 19-year-old is below what a first team squad member at a mid-table Premier League squad would expect to receive. Throw in the fact Rice is already a three-times capped Republic of Ireland international and has immense potential, and you can see why he has rejected the package currently on offer. The defender can only benefit from the private support of Pellegrini, who is putting together a detailed dossier on those under his command ahead of the new campaign. It could prove decisive in handing Rice an improved contract.